Background/Methods: Between 1996 and 2000, 1,045 active drug users were enrolled in an HIV prevention program incorporating both individual counseling sessions and group social events, and drawing on social cognitive principles of behavior change. Food bank services were provided to all participants to encourage program participation. Baseline and follow-up data were collected through face-to-face interviews conducted by program staff. Process data, including session date, type, and length, were recorded for all sessions. Analyses included t-tests and ANOVAs. Results/Implications: Most participants (71%) were male; 49% were homeless; 53% African-American, 13% Latino, 29% White, 5% Other. Most (61%) were non-injecting crack or methamphetamine users; 39% were IDUs. For individual sessions, 27% of participants attended only 1, 24% attended 2-3, 27% attended 4-6, and 22% attended 7-25 sessions (M=5.0, SD=4.7). For group sessions, 63% did not attend any, 17% attended only 1, and 20% attended 2-21 sessions (M=0.8, SD=1.6). There were no significant differences in total number of sessions attended between men versus women, sex traders versus non-sex traders, and older versus younger clients. However, IDUs attended significantly fewer sessions (M=5.2, SD=5.6) than did non-injectors (M=6.3, SD=6.0) t=3.16, df=1247, p=.002. Likewise, homeless participants attended significantly fewer sessions (M=5.2, SD=6.3) than did non-homeless participants (M=6.5, SD=5.2) t=3.9, df=1241, p=.0001. In addition, race/ethnicity was related to attendance (African-American: M=6.4, SD=5.9; Latino: M=5.0, SD=5.0; White: M=5.4, SD=6.0; Other: M=4.5, SD=5.0) F3,1239=4.46, p=.004; African-American vs. Latino: Tukey HSD p<.05. In general, the program seemed to appeal more to non-injectors, non-homeless, and African-American drug users (as opposed to Latinos).
Learning Objectives: : Participants will become familiar with 1. the adaptation and implementation of a multi-component HIV risk reduction program for drug users, originally developed through a NIDA-funded Cooperative Agreement program, in a community-based service setting in Long Beach, CA. 2. factors related to program participation.
Keywords: HIV Interventions, Drug Use
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.